Peter Hickman and the Briggs Equipment BMW team have reluctantly been forced to withdraw from the forthcoming International North West 200 road races as a result of his injuries sustained in a crash at Oulton Park on Saturday.

Having sustained two broken ribs in the 150mph spill on the approach to Druids, the 27-year old has been diagnosed with two breaks of the C4 vertebrae in his neck meaning both he and the team will be unable to participate in the first International road race of the season on Tuesday.

The aim now is to be fully fit for the Isle of Man TT Races on Saturday, May 30.

Lee Hardy, owner at the RAF Marham-based team, said of the Louth-based rider: “His injuries are a little bit worse than we first thought. I’d like to publicly thank the on-site medical team at Oulton Park for all their excellent treatment.”